Thirty-nine regional Queensland events will share $1.5 million in new funding under the latest round of Tourism and Events Queensland’s Regional Development Program (RDP).

Minister for Tourism, Major Events, Small Business and the Commonwealth Games Jann Stuckey said the latest funding round supported Queensland events ranging from sporting to cultural and historical celebrations, music festivals, and food and wine events.

All the events to receive RDP funding will be held between 1 October 2013 and 31 March 2015.

“The Queensland Government recognises that tourism and events are intrinsically linked and events help to draw visitors to regional areas, providing social and economic benefits for the host communities,” Ms Stuckey said.

“Supporting tourism and events in Queensland will help take us a step closer to reaching our goal of doubling annual overnight visitor expenditure from $15 billion to $30 billion by 2020.

“Tourism and Events Queensland (TEQ) has created the most comprehensive portfolio of supported events of any state in Australia, with the RDP having now invested more than $22 million across 1015 events since 2001.”

Ms Stuckey said the latest round of funding had been allocated to event organisers based on the event plans they had put forward.

“The funding can be used for marketing activities to increase awareness of the event and destination through strategic planning, engagement of short-term personnel and hire of temporary infrastructure,” she said.

Ms Stuckey said strong support from regional stakeholders, including local MPs and regional tourism organisations, was vital to the ongoing success of the program.

“Regional events are delivered in partnership with local communities and that combined effort is vital to their success, which is why it’s great to see such a collaborative approach taken in the successful applications.

“This program, with the support of stakeholders, helps to deliver tourism benefits and promote Queensland’s regional destinations to a wider audience.”

The next RDP funding round is now open with applications closing on 9 August 2013 for events held between 1 April 2014 and 30 September 2015.